Monk and Monarch

SR No.: 034964
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vidyavijay
Publisher: Deepchand Banthia
Publication Year: 1944
Total Pages: 190
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 31 MB

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4. The fulus, the half-dam (also called 'nisfi'), the ek tanki, be tanki and char tanki were among the other varieties of copper coins over and above those detailed above.
Just as such stamped coins were current in Akbar's time, even so there were in circulation several unstamped articles that were used by enumeration, Bitter almonds and cowries were the chief among such articles. It is stated in "Tavernier's Travels in India ", volume I, that in the Mogul Empire bitter almonds and cowries were also current. In the district of Gujarat bitter almonds brought from Persia were in currency use for transactions involving small amounts. 35 to 40 bitter almonds could be had for a pice in those days.
The same book also refers to the fact that 80 cowries could be had for a pice on the seashore in those times. The number of cowries thus sold decreased as the distance of places from the seashore increased. For example, in Agra only 50 to 55 cowries were being sold for a pice.
In the book " Description of Asia " by Ogilby also the value of bitter almonds is placed at 36 for a pice and that of cowries at 80 for a pice.
From the description of coins given above we can prepare the following table of the chief coins current during the time of Akbar :
35 to 40 bitter almonds, L Inice
= 1 pice.
or 80 cowries
45 to 56 pice, l
or 40 dams)
= l rupee.
13 1/2 to 14 rupees
= 1 muhur.